Showing papers in "Stress and Health in 2004"

Validation of a single‐item measure of burnout against the Maslach Burnout Inventory among physicians

Abstract: The measurement of burnout among physicians is important because physician well-being has the potential to affect workforce stability and quality of care. In this study, a single-item measure of burnout was validated against the sub-scales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Survey items included the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory, a single-item measure of burnout, and other questions regarding demographics, practice characteristics, and occupational satisfaction. The surveys were mailed to Texas Tech University School of Medicine Alumni classes of 1980–1989. The response rate was 43 per cent (n = 307). Pearson correlation coefficients and ANOVA were used to determine the association between the Maslach Burnout Inventory scores and the single-item burnout question. The single-item was correlated at r = 0.64 (p < 0.0001) with emotional exhaustion and the ANOVA yielded an R2 of 0.5 (p < 0.0001). Hence, in surveys of physicians where emotional exhaustion is the primary sub-scale of interest, a single-item measure of burnout may be used as an alternative to the Maslach Burnout Inventory in order to abbreviate survey material and potentially increase response rates among physicians. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effects of a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program on stress, mindfulness self‐efficacy, and positive states of mind

Abstract: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has grown in popularity over the last two decades, showing efficacy for a variety of health issues. In the current study, we examined the effects of an MBSR intervention on pain, positive states of mind, stress, and mindfulness self-efficacy. These measures were collected before and following an 8-week intervention. Post-intervention levels of stress were significantly lower than pre-intervention levels, while mindfulness self-efficacy and positive states of mind were at significantly higher levels. The findings underscore the potential for stress management, awareness and attention training, and positive states of mind using MBSR. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Social identity, social influence and reactions to potentially stressful tasks: support for the self-categorization model of stress

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to investigate the role that social influence plays in the appraisal of a potentially stressful situation. Participants (N = 40) preparing for a mental arithmetic task were exposed to a message in which the task was described as stressful or challenging. The message was delivered by the same person in each condition but this person was said to be either an ingroup member (a University student) or an outgroup member (a stress disorder sufferer). Consistent with predictions derived from self-categorization theory, message source and message content interacted to determine the stress experienced while performing the task. Findings imply that the impact of informational support is not constant but varies systematically as a function of the group membership of the support provider. Implications for theory and practice are discussed with emphasis on the importance of social context as a determinant not only of what information people are exposed to about stress but also of how that information is construed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Burnout, stress and health of employees on non-standard work schedules: a study of Canadian workers

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between non-standard work schedules (shift work and weekend work) and job burnout, stress and psychosomatic health problems among full-time employed Canadians in a large metropolitan city on the east coast. Data were collected by means of a structured mail back questionnaire (N = 376). Employees involved with weekend work reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion, job stress and psychosomatic health problems than employees not involved with weekend work. Similarly, employees on non-standard work shifts (other than fixed day shift, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) reported significantly higher overall burnout, emotional exhaustion, job stress and health problems than employees on a fixed day shift. Results from two-way ANOVA indicated that employees involved with weekend work and non-fixed day shifts reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion and health problems than other employees. Implications of the findings are discussed for future researchers in light of employee well-being and non-standard work schedules. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Shortened Stress Evaluation Tool (ASSET)

Abstract: There is widespread acceptance that the workplace can be damaging to health. Many developed industrial countries have already produced, or are actively considering, legislation intended to make organizations accept greater responsibility for the physical and mental well-being of their workforce. In the U.K., for example, the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) are intended to make employers meet their legal obligations with respect to employee health issues.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the General Health Questionnaire-12

Abstract: The General Health Questionnaire-12 is a widely used screening instrument for detecting psychological strain in the general population. A literature search of the PsycInfo database extracted 167 studies that used the GHQ-12 since 1990. The literature investigating the factor structure of the GHQ-12 has relied primarily on conventional factor analysis methods, the results of which are inconclusive. There is evidence in the literature supporting unidimensional, two-factor and three-factor conceptualizations of the GHQ-12. In the present paper we assess the adequacy of the factor structure of the GHQ-12 for one-factor, two-factor and three-factor solutions, using structural equations modelling and a longitudinal dataset drawn from 23 large New Zealand organizations. The results favour a two-factor model consisting of a ‘Social Dysfunction’ factor and an ‘Anxiety/Depression’ factor measured by four items each. Concurrent validity of the two factors was assessed separately through correlations with five criterion variables, and all correlations were in the expected direction. Theoretical implications for research using the GHQ-12 are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of salivary cortisol as a biomarker of self-reported mental stress in field studies

Abstract: This study examine's the association between self-reported mental stress and the salivary cortisol response via a systematic literature review by using recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration. Literature in different databases was screened and articles were selected on the basis of a set of inclusion criteria. Each article was assigned a total score on the basis of a rating system including objective and design of the studies, description of possible confounders, sampling strategy, description of psychosocial factors, and statistical analysis. The findings of the studies were considered to be inconsistent if less than 75 per cent of the high and medium quality studies reported the same conclusion. The literature search revealed a total of 73 studies. According to the inclusion criteria 14 field studies were selected for further evaluation. According to the rating system, seven studies were considered to be of high quality and seven studies of medium quality. No studies were considered to be of low quality. Four studies reported a positive association; two studies reported negative association and eight reported no association between self-reported mental stress and the cortisol response. Accordingly, the evaluation of the studies in this paper showed insufficient evidence for an association between self-reported mental stress and the cortisol response in field studies. Possibly the large diversity in study designs, the types and measures of mental stress, and the various salivary cortisol sampling strategies obscure any potential relationship. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. (Less)

Work locus of control and its relationship to health and job satisfaction from a gender perspective

Abstract: With its focus on gender, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of work locus of control (WLC) for job satisfaction and health in the context of occupational stress. Data were collected from 281 women and men at both managerial and non-managerial level in a Swedish telecom company. As hypothesized, external WLC was positively related to stressors and symptoms of ill-health, whereas it was negatively related to job satisfaction. These results applied for both women and men. Even though ANOVAs did not show a gender difference in WLC, the results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that WLC was a significant predictor of both symptoms of ill-health and job satisfaction, but only for women. Besides these main effects WLC also acted as a moderator in the stress-health relationship for women. This indicates that separate analyses for women and men are needed in order to investigate potential gender differences that might otherwise go unnoticed. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Perceived changes in food intake in response to stress: the role of conscientiousness

Abstract: The role of conscientiousness in understanding the effects of stress on eating behavior remains unknown. In this study, the interactive effects of conscientiousness and established individual differences variables (e.g. restraint, perfectionism) on perceived changes in food intake during a 2-week stressful and non-stressful period were examined. One hundred and fifty-five female participants completed measures of conscientiousness, self-oriented perfectionism, socially prescribed perfectionism and eating style (i.e. external eating, emotional eating and dietary restraint) at the beginning of the study. Perceived changes in food intake (i.e. between-meal snacking), stress and emotional distress were also assessed. The results found that low conscientious individuals who were currently trying to lose weight or were high on self-oriented perfectionism reported eating more between-meal snacks than usual during the stressful period compared to the non-stressful period. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that conscientiousness in conjunction with established individual differences variables is associated with perceived increases in food intake. These results suggest that when faced with a stressful encounter, low conscientious individuals (who are dieters or self-oriented perfectionists) may be less well equipped to cope and as a result shift their preference to more palatable and high energy dense snacks foods.

Construct validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey

Abstract: The construct validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) has been a major point of focus for many studies The validity of the MBI-General Survey (MBI-GS), a newly developed instrument intended for use outside the human services has not been sufficiently investigated The aim of this present study is to investigate the validity of the MBI-GS The Japanese language version of the MBI-GS was prepared for this research and it was administered to a sample of intermediate managers (n = 696) working for a manufacturing company in Japan The total of 691 effective data were obtained The exploratory factor analysis replicated the same three-factor structure (Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional Efficacy) as the original whereas inter-factor correlation between Exhaustion and Cynicism was moderate Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all three subscales were above 080 The confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor model whereas Exhaustion and Cynicism were moderately related To investigate the construct validity, three subscales of the MBI-GS were then related to selected work characteristics Based on conservation of resources theory, differential patterns of effects were predicted among the correlates and the burnout subscales A path analysis revealed that the expectations were largely supported, suggesting that the meaning of the three subscales is quite different with a path from Exhaustion to Cynicism The study found support for the construct validity of the MBI-GS Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Workaholism among Norwegian journalists: antecedents and consequences

Abstract: This study examined correlates of workaholism among 211 Norwegian journalists. Three workaholism types were considered (work enthusiasts, work addicts, enthusiastic addicts) using measures developed by Spence and Robbins (1992). Correlates included a number of personal demographic and work situation characteristics, measures of positive and negative affect, burnout components and absenteeism. Although the three workaholism types were similar on personal and work situation characteristics, work enthusiasts indicated significantly more positive affect and significantly less negative affect, exhaustion and cynicism than one or both of the other workaholism types. The workaholism types did not differ on professional efficacy or absenteeism however. The three workaholism types worked similar hours per week ruling this out as a possible explanation of the findings. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aggressive and non-violent videogames: Short-term psychological and cardiovascular effects on habitual players.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term effects on several physiological (arterial pressure and heart rate) and psychological (anxiety and aggressiveness) indexes of playing violent and non-violent videogames in young adults. The study was carried out on a sample of 22 male participants. Subjects invited to participate in the study were recruited from a videogame leisure club. Before and during playing either a violent or non-violent computer game, blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Before and after the game session, the subjects completed the State-Anxiety Inventory-Y (STAI-Y) and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. The results of the study showed a range of short-term effects of playing violent and non-violent videogames on arterial pressure and on the state anxiety of subjects, but not on hostility measurements. More specifically, the group that played the violent videogames showed a significant increase in the state anxiety score at the end of the game, as compared to the pre-game self-evaluation, and an increase in the systolic blood pressure while the subjects were playing as compared to pre- and post-game values. A decrease in diastolic blood pressure after playing any game was also found.

Understanding stress and quality of life for clergy and clergy spouses

Abstract: To better understand the stress and quality of life of clergy and clergy spouses, a survey research design was utilized involving a random sample of clergy. Of the 436 respondents involved in this study there were 259 clergy who were employed full-time and 177 clergy spouses. Various scales related to Family Stress Theory and the ABC-X model were used in this investigation. Whereas clergy spouses had greater psychological and physiological stress than clergy, clergy had a greater sense of coherence and spiritual resources. Clergy spouses, however had a greater level of coping. Findings indicated that for both clergy and clergy spouses spiritual resources had the greatest total effect on their quality of life. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MMPI‐2 assessed post‐traumatic stress disorder related to job stress, coping, and personality in police agencies

Abstract: The PK and PS scales of the MMPI-2 were developed to index the degree of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These scales were applied to a sample of 254 mostly male sworn and civilian law enforcement employees from four police agencies. Participants also completed surveys measuring their perceived levels of job stress, their use of a set of coping strategies, and their performance on measures of five global personality domains. The two PTSD scales appeared to have good internal structures and relatively high reliabilities. Employees at greater risk for PTSD reported higher levels of work-related stress, seemed to use more maladaptive coping strategies, were more neurotic, and tended to be less extraverted, agreeable, and conscientious. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of Qi‐training on anxiety and plasma concentrations of cortisol, ACTH, and aldosterone: a randomized placebo‐controlled pilot study

Abstract: The effects of Qi-training on anxiety, and plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and aldosterone in healthy young men was investigated. Thirty-two subjects were randomly assigned to a sham control group or a Qi-training group. Although the basal level of anxiety did not differ between the groups, there was a significant group by time interaction of the 1-hour intervention; anxiety decreased by 26 per cent in the Qi-training group and by 9 per cent in the control group. After Qi-training, the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone decreased, but these levels did not change in the control group. These findings suggest that Qi-training improves anxiety and has a significant effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stress, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and cortisol patterns in working parents

Abstract: Whether stress or psychological distress is associated with alterations in diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in healthy adults is still uncertain. In this study, the authors tested for associations between stress or symptoms of depression or anxiety and changes in diurnal cortisol patterns in 91 working parents (57 women and 34 men) across the United States. Saliva samples were collected for cortisol analysis at six timepoints over 2 days. The diurnal cortisol slope and time-weighted average cortisol levels were analysed in relation to (1) two survey measures of stress, (2) diary reports of stress during cortisol sampling, and (3) self-reported depression and anxiety. Cortisol slopes and average cortisol levels varied widely across individuals and within individuals across days. Only two of the 24 associations between stress or psychological symptoms and cortisol were significant at the p < 0.05 level; men with more severe symptoms of anxiety had significantly higher average cortisol levels and women who reported that work was more frequently stressful had significantly lower average cortisol levels. These results highlight the variability of diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in healthy adults and suggest that neither stress nor psychological symptomatology is a strong determinant of differences in diurnal cortisol patterns in healthy individuals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The flooding of Hat Yai: predictors of adverse emotional responses to a natural disaster

Abstract: Background: A severe flood occurred in Hat Yai following a torrential downpour of rain in November 2000, killing at least 32 people, injuring about 1700, and causing severe damage to property. We have assessed the effect of this disaster on the mental health of the community and investigated predictors of adverse emotional responses. Method: A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was carried out and Thai versions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Impact of Event Scale (IES) were administered. Data on 590 respondents residing in four areas of the city and its environs were obtained. Results: Two hundred and thirty-three (40 per cent) respondents had a positive GHQ score suggesting a mental health problem. There were significant associations between a positive GHQ and the subjects' perception of the severity of loss, the ability to collect possessions, and showing a ‘negative’ response to the flood. High IES scores were associated with indices of the severity of loss, lower socio-economic status and minority religion. Conclusions: Natural disasters, such as floods, have a major impact on the mental health of a community. The impact is related to the perception of severity and loss, and is greater in lower socio-economic and minority religious sub-groups. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Post‐awakening changes in salivary cortisol in veterans with and without PTSD

Abstract: Cortisol shows a well-documented circadian rhythm with peak levels observed shortly after awakening and steadily decreasing values thereafter. This is a relatively robust diurnal pattern that is displayed by most non-ill individuals, but recently it has been shown that in the general population some 10–15 per cent of individuals have ‘flat’ circadian cycles of cortisol. We have analyzed post-awakening variations in levels of salivary cortisol in veterans without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), veterans with diagnosed PTSD that were not hospitalized, and hospitalized veterans with PTSD. ‘Flat’ circadian cycles of salivary cortisol were observed in 6 per cent of veterans without PTSD, 29 per cent of non-hospitalized veterans with PTSD, and 42 per cent of veterans hospitalized for PTSD. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Children and work-related stress among physicians

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of gender and children on physicians' stress and burnout and to obtain information on the compromises physicians make between family and work. The study was based on a nationwide survey of 3313 Finnish physicians. The results showed that work was the commonest reason for stress for both male and female physicians. If physicians had children, combining work and family was the commonest reason for stress among the women, but work still remained the commonest reason for stress among the men. The female physicians had made compromises between family and work more often than the male physicians (limited the number of children, delayed having children, given up postgraduate or continuing medical education, worked part-time because of family, and given up a job because of a spouse's need to move). The female physicians—with or without children—were more likely than the male physicians to experience severe or moderate exhaustion and less likely than the male physicians to experience cynicism as components of burnout. Among both genders of physicians, having children was associated with less cynicism and reduced personal accomplishment, but the children did not affect exhaustion. In conclusion, having children is associated with a lower level of some burnout symptoms. Additional studies are needed to explain the health effects of work–family balance for physicians. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gender and ethnicity differences in the prevalence of traumatic events: evidence from a New Zealand community sample

Abstract: One thousand five hundred community residing New Zealand adults were assessed regarding their experience of traumatic events. Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed reported exposure to a traumatic event during their lifetime. Unexpected death of a close friend or relative was the most prevalent traumatic experience for the present sample, whereas combat and natural disasters were the least prevalent traumatic events. Consistent with prior research demonstrating gender differences in exposure to traumatic events, child and adult sexual assault was more common among women, and motor vehicle accidents and combat were more common among men. The present study also found that Maori individuals (indigenous people) had experienced a number of traumatic events to a greater extent than their European counterparts. These results are discussed within the New Zealand social context. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sleep quality and psychopathological features in obese binge eaters

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and to investigate the subjective sleep qualities and the psychopathological features of BED in treatment-seeking obese patients. Thirty-six treatment-seeking obese subjects and 37 control subjects were interviewed with the DSM-IV research criteria for BED, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburg (BITE) and SCL-90-R scales. Eight out of 36 treatment-seeking obese patients (22.2 per cent) met the criteria for BED. The PSQI global scores, sleep latencies and SCL-PSDI, SCL-interpersonal sensitivity subscale results were all significantly higher in treatment-seeking BED obese subjects than non-BED (N-BED) subjects and controls. Our findings suggest that BED appears to be a common disorder in treatment-seeking obese patients. The treatment-seeking obese BED patients suffer from more psychopathological problems than N-BED obese patients and controls, and the subjective sleep qualities are likely to be disrupted in patients with BED. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stress recovery during an ocean boat race

Abstract: The aim was to study the effects of intense and sustained stress associated with a several months long endurance test with special emphasis on the biology of recovery. Biological stress markers of ‘catabolism’ (cortisol in saliva and HbA1c in blood) and ‘anabolism’ (testosterone in saliva) were followed in crewmembers during a 9-month around the world sailing race. During sustained mental stress the diurnal cortisol curve was flattened, HbA1c was at the upper part of the normal range and testosterone levels were low. In the latter part of the race the crew mastered the situation and the stress markers were normalized. Our longitudinal approach disclosed a striking shift in the profile of stress markers from a ‘catabolic’ to an ‘anabolic’ state, corresponding to a decline of mental stress. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Trauma in antiquity: 4000 year old post-traumatic reactions?

Abstract: ‘The lamentation over the destruction of Ur’ and ‘The death of Urnamma’ are probably the earliest documented evidence of post-traumatic reactions in recorded history. The author of this article suggests extending the time line for the known existence of post-traumatic reactions back to 2000–2100 BC. The author would like to present a new perception relating to the existence of ancient knowledge regarding psychological trauma. This article is based on cuneiform tablets found in the ruins of the Sumerian city, Ur. The author found that reactions to traumatic events elicit post-traumatic symptoms have not changed dramatically over the millennia. These data support the thesis that reaction to traumatic events leading to psychological trauma was a known concept in antiquity. Future implications to the study of traumatic reactions are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relationship between a traumatic life event and an alteration in stress response

Abstract: An Erratum has been published for this article in Stress and Health 20(5) 2004, 309. The relationship between past traumatic experience and stress tolerance is poorly understood. To investigate the relationship among past exposure to trauma, stress tolerance and other mental health indexes, experience of traumatic events, depression, anxiety, and job strain were assessed in 2959 male and 279 female workers. Job strain was used as an indicator of stress tolerance in this study. Past traumatic experience was shown to increase later anxiety for both sexes, and increase depression and job strain in male subjects. For the first time, people with past traumatic experiences were found to feel a stressor's influence more strongly. Further, those influences differed according to the type of past trauma. The existence of interactions among the experience of traumatic events, depression/anxiety, and strain indicated that stress tolerance seemed to be an important element in the trauma response mechanism. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stress-induced increase in morning cortisol variance

Abstract: Empirical evidence for the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in chronic stress is contradictory. Findings of enhanced cortisol concentrations conflict with hypocortisolism in chronic stress. Both, high and low cortisol levels, have been reported to go along with psychological and somatic complaints. To integrate conflicting empirical results and theoretical assumptions it is hypothesized, that (1) the cortisol distribution becomes broader under the influence of persisting stress. Because of the association between extreme cortisol values and stress related complaints it is supposed, that (2) stress related complaints will increase in prevalence in chronic stress. A high level of chronic stress was assured by recruiting a sample of nursing staff; a waiting list controlled cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention was implemented to vary stress systematically. As expected a high level of stress was accompanied by a broader morning cortisol distribution. After the intervention the distribution was less broad and corresponded with representative normative values. However, subjects grouped on basis of (extreme) cortisol values did not differ in the amount of stress, coping or psychophysiological complaints. The results suggest a stress-induced variation of basal cortisol concentrations. The assumption of specific complaints depending on cortisol status could not be confirmed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dialysis-linked complaints and burdens of illness on patient and spouse as predictors of survival in end-stage renal disease patients with home hemodialysis: a 10-year follow-up study

Abstract: Participants were 40 persons from a group of 44 end-stage renal disease patients in southern Sweden who in 1985 received home hemodialysis under the auspices of a hospital renal unit, together with their spouses (n = 35). At a 10-year follow-up, 15 of the patients had died and 25 had survived. Univariate log rank tests of the influence of physical and demographic factors, the patient's dialysis-linked complaints and the burdens of the illness indicated the most important predictors of 10-year survival to be the patient's age, severity of the illness, the patient's dialysis-linked complaints (notably that of itching), and the burdens of the patient's disease on the spouse (particularly burdens of a sexual character). Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Chronic immobilization stress differentially affects the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in the mouse hippocampus

Abstract: Stress impacts multiple systems within the CNS, including the hippocampus. A key molecular mediator in hippocampal functions, including learning and memory, is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF mRNA is reported to be decreased following chronic (every day) immobilization stress (CIS) in the rat, however the effect on protein is unknown. Utilizing a mouse model of CIS, the hypothesis that total hippocampal BDNF protein, in addition to BDNF mRNA, would be decreased was tested. The effects of intermittent (alternating day) immobilization and cold stress on hippocampal BDNF protein levels was also examined. In this study it was demonstrated that CIS results in a small (8 per cent decrease relative to non-stressed controls), but significant (p = 0.0013) decrease in the exon coding for mature BDNF (exon VI). In addition, there was a significant (34 per cent, p = 0.005) decrease in the mRNA coding for exon I in the stressed animals. Contrary to expectations, however, CIS resulted in a significant (116 per cent, p = 0.0087) increase in hippocampal BDNF protein levels. Furthermore, both intermittent immobilization and chronic cold stress both increased BDNF protein levels. Chronic stress, therefore, differentially regulates BDNF mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Short communication: French version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI): preliminary assessment of reliability and validity

Abstract: This article offers a preliminary assessment of the psychometric quality of the French version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI). The OSI is a diagnostic tool that assesses seven different aspects of occupational stress by means of one independent variable (sources of pressure), three moderating factors (Type A behaviour, locus of control and coping strategies), and three dependent variables (job satisfaction, mental health and physical health). The purpose of the present study is to test the French translation of the OSI and investigate the reliability of all seven scales, as well as the convergent and discriminant validity of six of them, excluding job satisfaction. Cronbach's α revealed that six of the seven OSI scales were statistically very reliable. In accordance with previous studies, the seventh scale, locus of control, proved to be less reliable. Significant and acceptable levels of construct validity were also found for the Type A, locus of control, mental health, physical health scales and for one of the coping strategy subscales: social support. These encouraging results should lead to further, broader and more complete assessments of the psychometric quality of the French version of the OSI. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The level of burnout in a group of dental research assistants

Abstract: Working as doctor or dentist may entail higher levels of burnout than experienced by the general population. Maslach Burnout Inventory, evaluates emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. This article presents data conserning levels and sources of burnout in dental research assistants taking postgraduate education in two dental schools in Turkey. One, a new school and the other, an established school. In this study we aimed to investigate if there was an association between the level of burnout and sociodemographic factors and to measure the level of burnout in dental research assistants. Seventy-eight dental research assistants working in two different dental schools participated in the study. Sociodemographic data were obtained. Sociodemographic characteristics were not significantly different between the two dental schools. In addition, there were statistically significant differences between the two schools in personal accomplishment, depersonalization and work related strain, but no significant difference in emotional exhaustion. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of the emotional status of patients on a waiting list for thoracic surgery during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the emotional status of patients on the waiting list for thoracic surgery operations during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong. Telephone interviews were conducted on patients awaiting thoracic surgery including major lung resection, mediastinal, pleural, tracheal and chest wall operations during the outbreak of SARS in April 2003 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong. The anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fifty-seven patients participated in the interview (31.67 per cent response rate) of whom 18 were female. On the HADS, using the cut-off point for psychiatric cases, 17 patients (29.82 per cent) scored above 15 for the full scale indicating significant psychiatric problems. Within the anxiety sub-scale, 24 patients (42.11 per cent) reached the level of high anxiety (HADS score > 5). Fifteen patients (26.3 per cent) were above the cut-off score of significant depression (HADS score > 8) for the depression sub-scale. There was no relationship between the waiting time on the list and the level of depression and anxiety. The outbreak of SARS and the anticipation of surgery contributed to the high levels of anxiety and depression among patients awaiting thoracic surgical operations. A multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to the management of this group of patients should be considered. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.